Sports training device

ABSTRACT

A sports training device having a line, an anchor coupled to a first end of the line, a glove coupled to a second end of the line, and a ball slidably mounted on the line. The anchor is configured to engage with a stationary support surface so as to retain the first end of the line in a stationary position. In use, one user will hold the glove away from the anchor so as to tension the line and then propel the ball along the line toward the opposite end. Another user can then strike the sliding ball with a bat, or other striking implement, and the one user can catch the ball with the glove.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates generally to sports training devices, and more particularly, to an apparatus with which a user may practice striking a ball, such as a baseball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Many sports require the participants to hit some sort of a ball or puck. These sports include hockey, tennis, racquetball, softball, and baseball. Often it takes hours of practice to become proficient at striking the ball or the puck of these sports. For example, one of the most difficult aspects of baseball is hitting a round ball with a round surface. Thus, baseball training devices have been developed.

[0003] Conventional baseball training devices include a ball slidably coupled to a pair of lines. The lines are attached to an object at a first end and are held by a first user at a second end. The first user can move the lines away from one another to slide the ball toward the first end. A second user, standing proximate the first end with a baseball bat, can then hit the ball as it slides toward the first end. If the second user makes contact with the ball, the ball will slide along the pair of lines toward the second end. These conventional baseball training devices, however, are not configured such that the first user can catch the ball as it slides along the line after being hit by the second user. In addition, if the first user spreads the lines away from one another while the second user strikes the ball, the ball may not move to the first user, making it difficult to practice with these conventional devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Generally speaking, embodiments of the present invention strive to provide a sports training device that allows a first user of the device to catch a ball after it has been struck by a second user of the device.

[0005] Other advantages associated with the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not limitative.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sports training device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0007]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the sports training device illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a side view of an anchor of the sports training device illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0009]FIG. 4a and 4 b are perspective views of a glove of the sports training device illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a top view of a male coupler for attaching the glove to a line of the sports training device illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the male coupler illustrated in FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

[0012]FIG. 7 is a side view of the male coupler illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0013]FIG. 8 is a top view of a female coupler for attaching the glove to the line of the sports training device illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the female coupler illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0015]FIG. 10 is a side view of the female coupler illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0016]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a grommet of the sports training device illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 12 is a side view of the grommet illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0018]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the grommet illustrated in FIG. 11 taken along the line 13-13 in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] One embodiment of a sports training device 15 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-13. The sports training device 15 is configured for a user to practice batting a ball 40. However, as described below, the invention is also configurable for practicing other sports, such as hockey, tennis, racquetball, etc. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sports training device 15 includes a line 30 having a first end 32 coupled to an anchor 20 and a second end 34 coupled to a glove 60. The line 30 is a cord, rope, string, or wire that extends between the anchor 20 and the glove 60. In the preferred embodiment the line 30 is made of polyethylene. In alternative embodiments, the line 30 may be made of nylon, cotton, or another material. The ball 40 is slidably mounted on the line 30 such that it can slide along the line between the anchor 20 and the glove 60.

[0020] The anchor 20 is a device configured to retain the first end 32 of the line 30 in a stationary position. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor 20 includes a lower portion 26 and an upper portion 22. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower portion 26 includes two curved and pointed spikes 28, 29, which a user may embed into a stationary support surface 50, such as the ground, a mat, or another item. As illustrated in FIG. 1, when the lower portion 26 of the anchor 20 is embedded in the stationary support surface 50, the upper portion 22 will protrude from the stationary support surface. The upper portion 22 of the anchor 20 has a coupling mechanism 24 that couples the first end 32 of the line 30 to the anchor 20. In the preferred embodiment, the coupling mechanism 24 is a loop to which the line 30 can be removably tied, hooked, or latched. In alternative embodiments, the coupling mechanism 24 is a snap, a lock and key mechanism, a fastener, a female clip for receiving a male member on the first end 32 of the line 30, a button, or another item via which the line 30 can be removably coupled to the anchor 20. In a further embodiment, the first end 32 of the line is permanently coupled to the anchor 20, such as by an adhesive or a crimped band.

[0021] In an alternative embodiment of the sports training device 15, the anchor 20 includes only one curved and pointed spike for embedding in the stationary support surface 50. In another embodiment, the anchor 20 includes a spike shaped like a corkscrew for embedding in the stationary support surface 50. In a further embodiment, the anchor 20 includes a spike in the form of an elongated pin for embedding in the stationary support surface. In a further embodiment, the anchor 20 includes multiple spikes that are separately embedded in the stationary support surface 50 and that are each attached to a separate line, which in turn are each attached to the first end 32 of the line 30. In still a further embodiment, the anchor is a tree, a fence, a building, a pole, or another object that retains the first end 32 of the line 30 in a stationary position. For example, the first end 32 of the line 30 may be tied to a tree to retain the first end in a stationary position.

[0022] The glove 60 is a covering for a hand of a user and is used to catch the ball 40 after it has been struck by another user. The glove 60 is coupled to the second end 34 of the line 30 and is configured to receive the ball 40 as it slides on the line toward the second end. As illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the preferred embodiment of the glove 60 includes a thumb portion 62 having a cavity or sheath that receives a thumb, a fingers portion 64 having several cavities or sheaths that each receive at least one finger, and a web portion 66 located between the thumb portion and the fingers portion. The cavity of the thumb portion 62 and the cavity of the fingers portion 64 communicate with an opening 68 in the glove 60 through which a user 102 can insert a hand such that the cavity of the thumb portion 62 receives the user's thumb and such that the cavities of the fingers portion 64 receive at least one of the user's fingers. In an alternative embodiment, the fingers portion 64 includes a single cavity or sheath for receiving all of the user's fingers.

[0023] As is illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4 b, the illustrated glove 60 is reversible such that the user 102 can insert either the right hand or the left hand into the opening 68 to use the glove. FIG. 4a illustrates the glove 60 on the right hand of the user 102, and FIG. 4b illustrates the glove 60 on the left hand of the user 102. Hence, the user 102 will catch the ball 40 with a first side 63 of the glove 60 when the left hand is inserted into the opening 68, and will catch the ball 40 with the second, opposite side 61 of the glove when the right hand is inserted into the opening. The glove 60 is preferably fabricated from a material, such as a fabric, that readily conforms to the hand that the user 102 has inserted into the opening 68.

[0024] The sports training device 15 also includes a coupling mechanism 36 that removably couples the second end 34 of the line 30 to the glove 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling mechanism 36 includes a male coupler 71 attached to the second end 34 of the line 30 and a female coupler 72 attached to a first side 63 of the glove 60. In the preferred embodiment, the female coupler 72 is sewn to the glove 60. In an alternate embodiment, the female coupler 72 is glued to the glove 60. As illustrated in FIGS. 5-10, the male coupler 71 includes a protrusion 77 that snaps into a receptacle 78 in the female coupler 72, so as to removably couple the second end 34 of the line 30 to the first side 63 of the glove 60. The second end 34 of the line 30 is uncoupled from the glove 60 by twisting and pulling the male coupler 71 relative to the female coupler 72 so as to remove the protrusion 77 from the receptacle 78. In an alternative embodiment, the coupling mechanism 36 is a hook and loop device, a lock and key mechanism, a fastener, a clip, a button or another item via which the line 30 can be removably coupled to the glove 60.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the illustrated embodiment of the sports training device 15 includes another coupling mechanism 36′ on the second side 61 of the glove 60 and that is configured to couple the second end 34 of the line 30 to the second side 61 of the glove 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the another coupling mechanism 36′ includes another female coupler 72′. Therefore, the user 102 can couple the second end 34 of the line 30 to the first side 63 of the glove 60 when the left hand of the user is inserted into the glove, and can couple the second end of the line to the second side 61 of the glove when the right hand of the user is inserted into the glove.

[0026] The ball 40 is an object that may be struck with a striking implement, such as a bat, a hockey stick, or a racket, and is slidably mounted on the line 30 such that the ball can slide along the line between the first end 32 and the second end 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the ball 40 is a hollow and plastic baseball having a conduit 42 passing therethrough. In an alternate embodiment, the ball 40 is a hockey puck or a tennis ball. The line 30 passes through the conduit 42 to slidably mount the ball 40 on the line such that the ball 40 can slide along the line. In the illustrated embodiment, the ball 40 also includes grommets 44 at each opening of the conduit 42 to aid the ball in sliding on the line 30. As illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, the grommets 44 each include a conduit 49 that receives the line 30. The grommets 44 snap into each end of the conduit 42.

[0027] In an alternative embodiment of the sports training device 15, the ball 40 does not include the conduit 42. Rather, the ball 40 includes a tubular member attached to the ball, through which the line 30 passes, and via which the ball is slidably mounted on the line.

[0028] The sports training device 15 also includes a releasable connector that releasably connects the ball 40 to the glove 60. The glove 60 includes a first portion 70 of the releasable connector, and the ball 40 includes a second portion 48 of the releasable connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the releasable connector is a hook and loop type connector, sold under the trademark VELCRO, where the first portion 70 is the loop material located on the glove 60 and the second portion 48 is the hook material located on the ball 40. In the preferred embodiment, the shell of the glove 60 is fabricated from a loop material, such as tricot or polycotton. As will be appreciated, the releasable connector may take other configurations that also removably connect the ball 40 and the glove 60.

[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sports training device 15 also includes a striking implement 90 configured to be swung by a user to contact the ball 40 as it slides along the line 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the striking implement 90 is a plastic baseball bat that includes a handle portion 92 and a barrel portion 94. In alternative embodiments, the striking implement 90 is a hockey stick, a racket, or another implement that can be used to contact the ball 40 as it slides along the line 30.

[0030] The sports training device 15 can be used to practice hitting the ball 40. For example, to use the sports training device 15, the anchor 20, which is coupled to the first end 32 of the line 30, is secured to the stationary support surface 50. The first user 102, a pitcher, then couples the second end 34 of the line 30 to the glove 60 and inserts at least a portion of the pitcher's right or left hand into the glove. With at least a portion of one hand within the glove 60, the pitcher 102 then moves to a position such that the line 30 is tensioned, i.e. free of any slack. Using a free hand, the pitcher 102 then propels the ball 40 along the line 30 toward the first end 32 of the line 30. A second user 100, such as a batter, is located proximate the first end 32 of the line 30. Using the striking implement 90 in a conventional manner, the batter 100 strikes the ball 40 as it slides along the line. The struck ball 40 then reverses direction and slides along the line 30 back toward the pitcher 102, who catches the sliding ball 40 with the glove 60.

[0031] Because the sports training device 15 includes a glove 60 that allows the user 102 to catch the ball 40 as it slides on the line 30 after it has been hit by the user 100, the sports training device allows both users to practice a sports activity and permits multiple repetitions in a short period of time as compared to some conventional devices. Additionally, because the illustrated embodiment of the sports training device 15 includes only a single line 30, the ball 40 will slide easily along the line during use.

[0032] The principles, preferred embodiments, and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing description. However, the invention that is intended to be protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims be embraced thereby. 

1. A method of practicing a sport using a line coupled at a first end to an anchor and coupled at a second end to a glove, the line having a ball slidably mounted thereon for movement between the first end and the second end, the method comprising: holding the glove away from the anchor so as to tension the line; propelling the ball along the line toward the first end; and catching the ball with the glove after it has been struck with a striking implement and propelled along the line toward the second end.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: embedding the anchor in a stationary support surface so as to secure the anchor to the stationary support surface.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: removing the anchor from the stationary support surface.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: uncoupling the glove from the second end of the line.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: reversing the glove and then coupling the glove to the second end of the line.
 6. A sports training device comprising: a line; an anchor coupled to a first end of said line and having at least one spike; a glove configured to receive at least a portion of a hand and being coupled to a second end of said line; and a ball slidably mounted on said line.
 7. The sports training device of claim 6, said ball having a conduit passing therethrough.
 8. The sports training device of claim 6, further comprising: a releasable connector for releasably retaining said ball on said glove, said releasable connector having a first portion located on said ball and a second portion located on said glove.
 9. The sports training device of claim 8, said releasable connector including a hook and loop type connector.
 10. The sports training device of claim 6, said glove including a portion for receiving fingers of the hand, a portion for receiving a thumb of the hand, and a web.
 11. The sports training device of claim 6, said glove being reversibly configured for use with either a right hand or a left hand of the pitcher.
 12. The sports training device of claim 6, further comprising: a coupling mechanism located on a first side of said glove for removably coupling said glove to said second end of said line.
 13. The sports training device of claim 12, further comprising another coupling mechanism located on a second side of said glove opposite from said first side.
 14. The sports training device of claim 6, in combination with a striking implement.
 15. The sports training device of claim 14, said striking implement being a bat.
 16. A sports training device comprising: a line having a ball slidably mounted thereon; and a reversible glove having a first side and a second side located opposite from said first side, said first side including a first coupling mechanism for removably coupling said line to said glove, said second side including a second coupling mechanism for removably coupling said line to said glove.
 17. A sports training device comprising: a line; a ball slidably mounted on said line; means for retaining one end of said line in a stationary position; a reversible glove having a first cavity for receiving at least one finger, a second cavity for receiving a thumb, and a web located between said first cavity and said second cavity, said reversible glove including a first coupling mechanism located on a first side of said glove and a second coupling mechanism located on a second side of said glove, said first and second coupling mechanisms for removably coupling said glove to another end of said line; and a releasable connector for releasably retaining said ball on said glove. 